Papua New Guinea Kick boxing Federation is off to a good start with all its events for 2026 set, both domestic as well as international events with much focus on giving fighters exposure to internation events.This was revealed by the Kickboxing Federation President and Head-hunter, Mr. Stanley Nandex. Mr. Nandex highlighted that the federation is off to a good start with 3 of the country’s best male fighters already in Melbourne Australia for an international fight. “The three (3) male fighters have left the country yesterday, Wednesday 11th February for big fight this Saturday in Melbourne”. Nandex added that the PNG team of fighters were in Australia last year with the ambition of world title contention in kickboxing; however, 3 fighters missed out when they lost, so these three fighters now will try for the second time to prove if they best fit to be contesting in the world titles. “Mr. David Kingstone in the 80kg division, Clinton Hanku in the 65kg division and young Brendan Simbari, who is just 17 years old, will be fighting in the 65kg as well.” “The total cost of sending these fighters over to Australia was paid off by the promoters in Australia, and here at the PNG Kickboxing Federation we are grateful for this support and assistance, as most times we will be out looking for sponsors.”“This is a great opportunity given to us by the Australia Boxing Federation, and we hope our boys can pull some clean fights and secure some placings in the international fights”. Nandex further added that this is their last chance to prove their worth on the internation arena, so they need to give it their all, because if they fail to win, they will not be considered again, opportunities will be given to other upcoming fighters.

This time of the year is a very busy time with school having started and more trips between islands and mainland is done via outboard motors, prompting calls from disaster centers for all to listen and follow weather warnings to be safe when travelling by sea. West New Britain Disaster office is urging all passengers and skippers to regard safety as top priority before travelling. During this time, students travelling between islands for school must also consider the weather pattern and take heed of the warnings before traveling. The WNB Disaster Office added that the weather has improved during this month, where it is fine during the day and only winding and bit of rain later in the nights. “Mostly it is 27-30 degrees Celsius and it's safer travelling during the daytime”. “All boat owners and skippers are remaindered to register all boats as this is new year and those that needed to renew their registration must do so as soon as possible under the Small crafts act.” Overcrowding in dinghies is considered a criminal offence and offenders will be charged under the small crafts act. “All boats must be registered and tagged on the side; crews must all have license as well as permit and life jacket and extra zoom is important to carry, always travelled prepared and always take precaution during this wet season.”

For forty- four (44) years since 1982, the Laloki Secondary School (LASEC) in the Central province has been running without a proper school hall for the students to use for various purposes.From school graduations to National Book week and Teachers’ Day celebrations, combined assembly or combined school worship programs, all formal school events were often done under the shades of the trees next to the administration building. Every secondary school must have a school hall and sadly Laloki Secondary is starting off another academic year without one. LASEC Principal Mrs. Carol Tsinabi who was teaching at LASEC for over 20 years, stated that Laloki Secondary over the years has missed out on so many financial assistance, donations or even subsidies. “Sorgeri National High School and Iarowari Technical High school have so much improved infrastructures as well as other academic and physical improvement on their school is visible; however, the same can not be said for Laloki Secondary school,” said the principal. “We are right on the side of the road before going up to Sorgeri but sadly we have been invisible for the last 40 plus years.” “But I have a dream, this will be my 3rd year as Principle, and I want to make sure we build a school hall here before I retire.” “These kids deserve to seat comfortably during rain season and dry season during major school events and not seated everywhere, any where on the dirt, under tree shades.” Mrs. Tsinabi further added that students need a proper hall for examinations and graduation ceremonies and the Central Provincial Education Division needs to look into this and address this important matter as soon as possible. “We are happy to receive donations or support from our Provincial office, education division or any organization or donors who are willing to build LASEC’s hall.”

Fresh water fish farming has now become one of the main protein sources for the people of the Highlands region with more farmers switching from piggery and poultry to freshwater fish farming. Not only is freshwater fish becoming a number one source of protein but also number one source of income for many farmers now. Farmer and Owner for Tower Fish Hatchery Mr. Jacob Towa highlighted the progression in an interview with PNG Haus Bung, stating that the number of Fresh water fish farms has grown over the years to about 600 freshwater fish farms all across the Highlands Region, with about 7 Hatcheries currently operating and supplying fingerlings to these farms.  “I started fish farming in 2019 and over the years I have grown, and with my hatchery business now, I am currently providing technical support and fish farming training to individuals across Highlands’ region, West Sepik and even in Wewak.” Mr. Towa also highlighted that part of his technical training to local farmers he has now reached out to schools to help schools teach freshwater fish farming to agriculture students as well as helping schools set up their own fishponds.  “I have helped Pablum Secondary school and Toguba Secondary school in Mt Hagen province by providing theory and hands on practical training for them, and I’m helping them to setup their own ponds”. “I have extended my assistance to schools outside of Mt Hagen/Western Highlands Province and Kuli High in Jiwaka is another school I have trained and assisted”. Towa further added also that he is willing and will make time available to train any secondary schools, or colleges or technical institutions who want to get freshwater fish farming training and to set up fishponds in their schools. “Fish farming is food security too for schools especially boarding schools, and it will be very nice to set up fishponds in all schools, thus it will help cut down cost on protein plus if the school sells, then they make extra funds to support school operations.” Fresh water fish farming is a brilliant project and if any school is interested than he can be contacted via his face book account “Towa Fish Breeding”.

The Member of Parliament for Sinesine Yongomugl, Kerenga Kua, has pledged to fully support PNG Tribal Foundation to address sorcery violence in his home district, in Simbu this year. Mr. Kua has pledged that he will support the fight addressing sorcery accusation related violence (SARV) in Sinesine Yongomugl district. Mr. Kua made a visit to the Tribal Foundation office and had discussions with Tribal Foundation President GT Bustin on forging a partnership between the district office and the Foundation in an effort to strengthen the work on addressing sorcery accusation related violence (SARV) and unreported increasing violence of women and children in the communities in Sine Sine Yongomugl. “You have my full support, so keep working for the good of the people and the country,” Kua said. “At political level tougher penalties approach is needed to address the issue embedded into our homes and the government must revisit the criminal laws to prosecute people causing violence and disorder in our communities,” he said. GT Bustin highlighted that it is a good partnership and Tribal foundation looks forward to strengthening their partnership to address SARV in Sinesine Yongomugl and across the country. “Our team appreciated learning from a leader with experience from the local realities to national policy shaped by his service as a former Attorney General and someone who understands the issues at every level.” At the moment, over 180 displaced SARV victims continue to receive care and support from the PNG Tribal Foundation in Sinesine Yongomugl district in Simbu Province. President GT Bustin confirmed the district has four active sorcery accusation related violence (SARV) cases whilst 186 victims are under the support of Tribal Foundation while their cases are under police investigations and court. Tribal Foundation supports the victims through supply of bulk food, including kitchen utensils and beddings to families who are taking refuge while fighting for justice.

People living along the coastlines of Papua New Guinea (PNG) as well as those out on the islands will continue to experience strong winds and prolong rain because this is the peak of the wet season.The National Weather Service (NWS) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has announced that the country’s wet season is always at its peak when it comes to the month of January and February, where there are systems developing in the Coral Sea as well as the Gulf of Carpentaria, and when these systems develop, low pressure develops also resulting in strong winds over the lands. Director for National Weather Service Mr. Jimmy Gomoga, highlighted that during this peak period, it is normal to experience strong wind surges especially over the land and over the seas causing rough seas. “For land gales or very strong winds on land, it will be felt from the Indonesian border all the way up to the islands of Samarai.” “For now, we have weak Lalina in progress causing more rain falls over in Western Province, New Guinea Island Region, and some parts of West Sepik. Apart from these areas, other parts of the country are experiencing average to above rainfalls.” Mr. Gomoga further elaborated that due to the low pressure, strong force winds will be felt especially during the early hours of the mornings, and the areas these will be felt is from the PNG Borders to Milne Bay along the Southern Region coastlines. “The National Weather office urges all to stay away from sea, no fishing, no long travel between islands or from mainland to islands as accidents at sea are most likely to happen at this time.” “All are urged to look out for weather warnings especially those along the coastal areas, any property that can be blown away by wind must be tucked in safe and firm, roofs must be carefully hammered to avoid destruction.” “Safety is very important at this time when the wet season is at its peak in the country, people must not be confused, there is no cyclone in the area it is just the peak point of our wet season,” Mr. Gomoga reiterated. “Prolong and heavy rains, including strong winds, should continue until the months of April and May when these weather patterns change and we transition into the dry season.” All necessary precautions are important and must be taken at this time, thus, warnings for flood and landslides too must be adhered to at all times.

Inland Freshwater fish farming is now booming in the Highlands region with more farmers switching from piggery and poultry to freshwater fish farming.Fish farmer and Owner of Tower Fish Hatchery, Mr. Jacob Towa talked about it in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, where he said the number of Fresh water fish farms have grown over the years. Mr. Towa said there are about 600 freshwater fish farms all across the Highlands Region, with seven hatcheries currently operating and supplying fingerlings to these farms.  “I started fish farming in 2019 and over the years I have grown, and with my hatchery business now, I am supplying fingerlings as well as providing technical support and fish farming training to individuals across Highlands Region, West Sepik and even in Wewak.” “People in the highlands have come to realize that fish is 81% good protein, a healthier choice of protein than pig or chicken, thus, demand for fish is high with one in every 5 households consuming freshwater fish for dinner.” This boom in fish farming should be an opportunity now for the young people as well to get into the business, a worthwhile investment. Mr. Towa highlighted that many youths have land back at their villages but are wasting away their prime time by becoming vagrants and opportunists in towns and cities, stating that these youths need to do critical assessment of their lives and decide what is the right thing to do. “Money is in the soils of this earth, if you sweat, if you go back to agriculture and turn your land into money making place then you put value to your life”, said Towa. “I want to encourage all youths who have land and do not know what to do on it, as well as those youths who are interested to fish farming to reach out to me, message me on Facebook. Towa Fish Breeding is my profile; I am willing to assist in the technical side of freshwater fish farming.” Mr. Towa further stated that he can provide technical support and training on how to make fishponds, inlet, outlet, how to feed and grow the fish. “After I help you set up your fishpond, then you can purchase fingerlings from my hatchery, I can offer you discount from 50t to 30t each fingerling so you can go and start your own inland freshwater fish farming business.” Mr. Towa assured youths and interested individuals that in one year of fish farming, one farmer can make over K10,000. “Let’s take back our land, let the land give us money and food. Getting back to agriculture is the basis of food security as well as economic freedom,” he said.

The Laloki Secondary School located in the Central province and just over 20 minutes’ drive outside of Port Moresby city, is losing it infrastructures to deterioration due to years of neglect, but the school is now seeking help as the school year is about to start.The secondary school was once a Corporative College in the 1970s to the early 1980s. It was converted into a high school in 1982 and most of the infrastructures being used today is from that period, they are old and with no regular maintenance the facilities tend to deteriorate over time. The lady in charge of the school Principal Carol Tsinabi said the administration building, the school library and teachers’ houses are some of the infrastructures that need urgent attention. She added that the school also needs twelve (12) more houses for the teachers and an additional five (5) or so houses for their ancillary staff. But perhaps what’s sad is that the principal revealed that help doesn’t come often. “The last time we ever got any support from the Central Provincial government was around 2016, a double classroom from Hiri Member then, Peter Isoaimo. But, up until today we are still hoping for some blessing to come our way.” With the start of the 2026 academic year, Mrs. Tsinabi, who will be leading the school in her second term as principal, said she has big dreams for the school and is hoping for some improvements and changes to happen to their school. “I am calling on the provincial government, our local member as well as our Education Department in the district including partners and stakeholders to reach out to the school, any amount of help would be greatly appreciated.”

The Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility is the focus of a three-day workshop currently underway in Nadi, Fiji.Running from January 7 to January 9, 2026, this gathering is a core component of the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security (PCCMHS) Phase II program. This initiative is designed to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of Pacific Islanders facing the realities of climate change and natural disasters that migration and relocation remain a choice and displacement is averted, minimized and addressed. The training has brought in a total of 15 participants from across the Pacific region who work in the media and communications space and are passionate about climate change and resilience in the pacific. The PCCMHS program will support three outcomes including: 1. Governments cooperate at the Pacific regional and sub-regional level to manage climate mobility,2. Pacific Governments develop and implement national policies to address climate mobility, and3. Pacific Civil society actors, workers and employer organizations, and communities actively engage in the national, regional and global processes to manage climate mobility. The PCCMHS program is delivered through a partnership with the International organization of Migration (IOM), United Nation (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Disaster Displacement (PDD). Under the PCCMHS program, the IOM has supported the development of a Pacific Climate Mobility Training Package which is being rolled out at a regional and national level across the Pacific and this 3-days training will serve as a key to enhancing understanding and management of climate mobility in the Pacific drawing on and amplifying the “Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility”.

Overloading on small crafts or outboard motors is found to be the leading cause for accidents at sea.The West New Britain (WNB) Provincial Disaster Office has received many reports of accidents at sea during the recent festive period with the latest incident that occurred on Christmas Day. Disaster Officer Mr. Herman Volele, said the accident happened between Sakes and Open Bay, when traveling back from Rabaul, Tokuna transit to Ulamona. The boat was overloaded with bags of bettle-nut and was carry around 8 passengers as well. “When the boat capsized, most passengers had their skin burnt from the fuel that was also on the boat.” “No deaths were reported; however, it has been known that the boat was overload and decided to use two 40 horse motor engines to power the dinghy which also is the cause of the accident, and that is a direct breach of the small craft act; therefore, this is currently under investigation.” All small crafts travelling in and out of Kimbe, Bialla, Ulamona in West New Britain (WNB), from Kolowin to East New Britain Province (ENB) and through to Tokuna Transit are all urged to stop overloading their dinghies. “Overloading is a crime under the small craft act, anyone found breaching this law will face imprisonment or pay a fine of K3, 000.” “All boats are to carry no more than 15 passengers; 10 passengers are the acceptable limit when travelling out on the sea”. In addition, skippers and crews are remaindered also to carry no more than 25 bags of betelnut. Meanwhile, the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) and the West New Britain Disaster Office is urging all to be safe this wet season when travelling out in the open sea.

Autonomous Region of Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, in his New Year speech to the people of Bougainville, highlighted that 2026 marks another important step in Bougainville’s journey towards political independence. He expressed deep gratitude to the citizens for their continued confidence in his leadership and the government’s shared vision of a sovereign, prosperous, and well-governed Bougainville. “Our people have already declared their choice for an independent Bougainville, through the Melanesian Agreement, we continue to work with the National Government to ensure the will of our people is properly recognized and endorsed.” “Your government remains firm and consistent in pursuing this political agenda.” President Toroama said that all must continue to build the economic foundation of their future nation, the reopening of Panguna, the establishment of the Bougainville Gold Refinery, and the development of agriculture, fisheries and other productive sectors will strengthen our domestic revenue and create opportunities for our people. “Economic independence begins at the family, community and government levels, and I encourage all Bougainvilleans to work hard and participate meaningfully in our economy.” "Good governance remains central to our nation-building efforts, strong leadership, ethical behaviour, discipline, transparency and accountability must guide both government and the public service." He also mentioned in his inaugural statement, that there will be reforms introduced in performance management for all senior leadership, and there will be no room for complacency both at the political and administrative level. The measure of Bougainville’s success must always be seen in the improvement of its people’s lives - there will be no other way around this. Bougainville has set a long-term vision to become a high-income, educated, healthy, peaceful and Christian sovereign nation by 2052. “Through the Bougainville Nation Building Strategy, my government will continue to align all sectors to this shared vision, ensuring that no part of Bougainville is left behind in our political and development journey.” “As we enter this New Year, I call upon all leaders, Constituency and Regional Members and their respective community governments, public servants, churches, civil society, business houses, landowners, communities and families to work together in unity and goodwill,” he added. Furthermore, President Toroama reminds all to uphold peace, respect laws, strengthen the governance systems and prepare to take their rightful place as a sovereign nation. “May this New Year bring renewed hope, stability and progress for our people and may God bless Bougainville.”

All small crafts travelling into and out of Kimbe, Bialla, Ulamona in West New Britain (WNB), Kolowin to East New Britain Province (ENB) and through to Tokuna Transit are all urged to register before going out to sea.With high number of people travelling between East and West New Britain during this period, safety is paramount; therefore, registration for all outboard motors is a must. Mr. Herman Volele from the WNB Disaster Officer said all boats must be registered and tagged on the side. “Registration of outboards motors is important under the small crafts act, thus, National Marine Time Safety has emphasized more on this because when accidents happen at sea, it is easier to identify which boat and its crew.”All skippers and their assistance must all have licenses as well as their permits to operate sea transportation. Mr. Volele further urged all traveling to the islands and between East and West New Britain to take necessary precautions when out at sea and avoid the sea during wet weather periods. “All boats are to have life jackets on board for all passengers to wear. All boats are not to overload, remember to carry extra zoom and to make sure the motor engine is 100% working before the start of any trip.”Volele reiterates that safety out at sea is paramount, and he urged all to also avoid consuming alcohol whiles travelling to and from or pay a hefty penalty of about K2,000 or face imprisonment.